HEBREWS 4:16

                          "THE THRONE OF GRACE"

 

INTRO: We have seen in our study of Hebrews Theme verse : Hebrews 3:1 Consider Jesus! Apostle & High Priest  Study, gaze at, focus on.

A.)Better than angels, better leader than Moses, Provides a better rest than Joshua,

 

B.)Now in our study last week we noted that Christ was superior to Moses for one thing – Moses was unable to take the people in to the Land of rest 

1)     And Superior than Joshua – because although Joshua led the People into the land of Promise – land of Rest – Spoke of another day / Rest

 

C) A REST that would come thru Christ – not a Promised Land / but a Promised life – blessing & Provision of God .

1)    That life is entered into by Faith – just like Israel missed out –unbelief and wandered – so can we unbelief – wander in walks / stagger in life

 

D) By Faith – we embrace Christ & the Promises of God found in Christ – experience that life – God intends for us to LIVE

1)   But here is t he problem – I want that life / that is how I want to live / but sometimes my faith can be so weak – falter so much – what do ?

 

Verse 14-16 

Here we see the Key to holding fast - seeing we have a great High Priest!

     Jesus the Son of God        

A) Ministers not in some earthly temple or Tab / passed thru the heavens Ministers in heaven in Heaven!

 

B) You know if this Christian life was up to me to maintain alone – I would have given up along time ago./ 

1)  If it was up to me to find the strength & develop the ability to walk uprightly / live wisely - If it was up to me – NO WAY– DUST

 

C) But I have a High Priest – Who is committed to Helping me !!!!

What kind of High Priest is He?   V.15

A.)Ch. 2: 17 Compassionate:  Get inside skin - feel what you are feeling

   He took on flesh – he walked in my shoes

    

B) Told here He can sympathize w/ our weaknesses. Weaknesses do not refer directly to sin. It refers to all the natural limitations of humanity,

1)       Jesus knew firsthand the drive of human nature toward sin. His humanity was His battleground. It is here that Jesus faced & fought sin.

 

He was tempted in all points – usually this idea is  applied to those who are in circumstances of trial & suffering / fact He Relates

 A) But the truth is far deeper: At it’s Height it refers to the struggle of the soul to live wholly for God & to carry out His Will

 

 B) That is the struggle Jesus wrestled w/ over & over – His temptation in the wilderness / You want the world Bow – Short cut

1)   Peter’s rebuke / don’t go to the cross / In the garden wrestling sweating drops of Blood – what was He wrestling w/ ? The Fathers will

 

C) It was the temptation to refuse the fathers will that caused His deepest suffering . He was victorious / But it was intense Temptation

 

D)As believers seeking to live wholly for the Lord this gives us incredible Hope to know that Jesus Knows that struggle / available to Aid us

 

Some may wonder how Jesus can completely identify with us if He did not actually sin as we do.

A)Merely experiencing something does not give us understanding of it.

1)   A person can have many successful operations without understanding the least bit about surgery.

 

B) On the other hand, a doctor may perform thousands of complicated and successful operations without ever having had the surgery himself.

1)     It is his knowledge of the disease or disorder and his surgical skill in treating it that qualifies him, not his having had the disease.

C) He has great experience w/ the disease-much greater experience w/ it than any of his patients/ having confronted it in all of its manifestations.  

1)   Jesus never sinned, but He understands sin better than any man.

 

D)He has seen it more clearly and fought it more diligently than any of us could ever be able to do.

 

Jesus Christ did not sin, could not sin, had no capacity to sin.

A)Yet His temptations were all the more terrible because He would not fall So endured them to the extreme/ He Experienced the greatest intensity

 

B) So His sinlessness increased His sensitivity toward  sinners

 

C) To those He loves so much who are constantly falling prey to the flesh & feeling ashamed & condemned for failing in their desire to please God

 1) Those who like Paul can say the things I want to do I don’t do – the things I don’t want to do I find myself doing – who can save me

 

D) Jesus our High Priest says to us – V.16 - Let us therefore Let us come boldly throne of grace that we may obtain mercy ... find grace to help..need

 

 

Note 3 things about coming to the throne:

1st: Throne of Grace:  Not judgment, condemnation

A.)    Not a place going to get thrashed on, or ridiculed

     Not going to hear : "I told you so!"  - "You should have listened"

 

B.) In Bible times it was very hard to come before the throne of some of the rulers – special pass / only by invitation / no women

1)    Story of Esther w/ King Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia- Powerful Man

 

C) A woman would be killed for approaching the King unsummoned

    1) You need to risk it

 

D) But here we are invited to come before the throne of God - Not coming - before awful ruler; but gracious Father!

     1.)     Throne is a reflection of who He is! Daddy

 

This Throne is where we Find grace & Obtain Mercy

A)Grace is getting what you don’t deserve/ Blessings of God found in Christ

 

B) EPH.1 God gives according to His riches ! His Grace has been &           continues to be Lavished upon us  

     1) Which He made to Abound!  = to exceed a fixed # / more than enough   

 

C) How much is available ? More that you Can count/ more than enough!

God didn't say let's give 10 chances to toe the line

1)   No He said let's open up the store room / break down the gates / open

      up the dam!  Let Grace Flow!

 

Charles Hodge " God gives from an unlimited treasure house , Grace is unlimited favor an overflowing abundance of unmerited love , inexhaustible & freely accessible through Christ"

 

D) He gives Grace to meet our present & future needs & Mercy to cover our past failures & sins/  Mercy is not getting what you do deserve 

1)   We deserved Judgment /We deserved to be written off –He gives Grace & Mercy  the 2 go together & are found at the throne

 

Murray The infinite mercy of God’s love resting on us & the almighty grace of His spirit working in us will ever be found at the throne of Grace .

 

So it is not a throne of Judgment but a throne of Grace

A)Now that is for the believer in Jesus Christ or for the sinner who realizes His sin & comes to Jesus – Throne of Grace

 

B) But for the unbeliever – for the person who continues to reject Christ – continues to live on own merit – or live in rebellion to God

1)   Throne of Judgment – What did you do w/ my son

C) That person will find that they are Condemned – No grace / no mercy their sin of rejecting Christ – will sentence them to Hell

1)   How can a loving God send people to hell- He doesn’t people choose to go there of their own free will – Jesus says –over my dead body

 

D) But for the Believer in Jesus, person who comes to Jesus, throne of Grace

 

#2 - Come boldly - We have access! 

A)Consider How Shocking this would sound to the Jew – What come boldly to the throne of God  –

 

B) That is High Priestly Privilege – All they Knew was distant

1)    And come boldly even the High priest didn’t do that / timid after sacrifice / ceremonial cleansing / only w/ Blood – Rope

 

Coming Boldly = Free speech- Lit.  idea is that of pouring our hearts out to the Lord -  He longs for that .

A.) When is the last time I have done that – really come to the Lord – pouring out my hearts -  Pressing in – God this is what is going on .

 

B) Thought about my kids – how they can come to me – all emotional upset and just begin to talk – slow down back up – understand

1)    With God that isn’t even necessary because He knows all things – but He bids His kids to come – let it out – open up

 

C) Come to the THRONE : Not going into unknown –

        (comfortable - safe place)

1.) Not going where not welcome - never a bad time to come - never

       interrupting always welcome!   Come boldly - in confidence!

 

The elders of a certain church once came to a young man to criticize some of the theology and vocabulary he used in his prayers when he prayed publicly in the church service.

After they had laid their load on him, he turned to them and said, "Are you gentlemen finished?/  I have just one thing to say: I wasn't speaking to you."

D)The  Lord will not get all bummed  out if you don't use the right words

1)   So 1st Throne of Grace / 2nd Come boldly – Kids pouring hearts out

 

3rd thing to note- Result You will find Help in your time of need

A)Lit. Timely Help or well timed Help – God hears when we come and He always responds to the needs of His Kids

 

B)Quest. Doesn’t God hear everyone’s prayers / believer or not ? Answer is yes He hears everyone’s prayers – Omnipresent – everywhere / Omniscient

 

C) But He only obligates Himself to answer the prayers of His Children those who are believers in Jesus / Always answers Yes / No / Wait

1)   If He answers the prayers of the unbeliever – it is merely an act of His grace/but He has obligated Himself to respond to the needs of His kids

 

 

Jesus made this clear – story in Elk. 11 persistent friend – If that friend gets up – because you are bothering him

A) What do you think your heavenly father will do – who is never bothered when you come?

 

B) Ask you will receive / seek find / Knock opened / keep on asking / seeking / knocking – Keep coming to the Throne – Never wearies

1)   Goes on to talk about Them being fathers but evil- You give good gifts – 

…Father H.S. to those who ask

 

C) God takes pleasure in meeting the needs of His Children in gracing them w/ Blessing – so He bids us to come Freely / boldly / regularly to His throne

1)   Receive Timely Help for the Need at Hand

 

Murray : Just don’t be a visitor – live at the throne / father's presence

 

 

 

 

For Rest of this morning I want to consider what happens to us when We come to the Throne – Live at the throne – impact it has on our lives A.)We all go thru difficult times / all have Times of special needs –

     

B)All go through seasons of temporal adversity Financially; money not coming in - bills piling up  vocationally - (job not working out) 

   1) Relationally (not coming together)

 

C) Our tendency when these things are happening  is to run to the throne of self Pity – We wonder why is this happening to me ? What did I do wrong?

     1.)     Know one understands me / know one cares   

 

D) There is that Temptation is to think "God doesn't care about me - He let me down" - Temptation - grow bitter at God

 

Others run to the throne of self Reliance :

A)I am going to buckle down roll up my sleeves and fix this mess  Temptation to try & do things in our own strength to get us out of that Jam

 

B) Some hobble to the throne of EXCUSES – I’m in this predicament because of him / her / because of them. It is their fault

 

Where should we go  in those times of temporal adversity when things are not working out  financially / vocationally / relationally?

A) Where do we Go?  Key is go to throne of grace

 

B) What does it mean go to throne:  Idea is in prayer, meditation -       quiet contemplation  seeking direction / help

 1) There Gain a new perspective See our High Priest / see properly / His eyes- the trials & test and difficulties that come into our lives

 

C) At the throne I realize - what is temporal vs eternal

    1) Reminded my High Priest knows what like to be without!

     No place call home!  "Foxes .... head!"

 

D) As I behold my High Priest and see His wounds reminded of Calvary - His love for me!

     1.)     Rom. 5:8 - "God proved His love while still sinners Christ died for us!"

        Rom 8:32 - "He who did not spare His own son, but delivered Him up

                for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give..."

 

E) Reminded He is going to take care of me / He wants to lead me Reminded that because of Him  I am rich in eternity /   Co-heirs with Christ!

1) Suddenly focus changes from what is temporal to what is eternal!  His Kingdom is being established in my heart

 

Here is the thing – when I run to that throne am I willing to hear what He might say to me to fix that financial situation / spend to much

A)Sell the car / the house – down size / whatever

 

B) Question is are we willing to hear it – Know this if you are He will supply thru His grace what you need to do it

 

C) When we come to Him about that relationship that needs healing or doesn’t seem to be going anywhere – are we willing to do what He says

1)   Ask forgiveness / or to cut it off -  

 

D) Again Know this – with the instruction comes the enabling to carry out what He is asking you to do

1) In times of temporal adversity the key is to Run to the throne –

 

Not just temporal adversity - but in time of prosperity!          Success

A)Investment - comes through - raise happens - job works out – still need to run to throne - still need see temporal vs eternal

 

B)Prosperity and success can bring a whole new set of trials

(I would like to experience)

  1) Prosperity and success - down fall many believers why? Several reasons

 

 

C) 1st Breeds pride: start thinking - I did this!  I am together

     1.)     Leads to self reliance - lack of dependence! Start thinking                what else am I going to do!  Beware of  the I

 

2nd Reason Prosperity can lead to - wrong priorities

A)Focus subtly changes - from pursuing the things of the  kingdom to pursuing  the things of world

 

B) Prosperity binds us to the world.  leads us to think that we have found our place in the world.  

 1) the reality is that the world has found its place in us.

 

C) So often Preoccupation with worldly possessions  - results in being        weighed down cares of world!

     1.)     Parable of sower - God's word & work choked out

 

The Problem w/ being preoccupied w/ possessions never can get enough!

A.)    New C.D. Player car (new C.D.'s - rid of cassettes) - New speakers

 

B.)New C.D.'s need C.D.Player in the  house!  New Speakers / But the speakers  don't go with carpet / New carpet /couch -

  1) Blinds -  rooms too small! Need a new house

 

C.) All started w/ a New CD player / spent 1,000 's dollars - something new comes along to replace C.D. whole process starts over again .

     1.)     always something better/ Bigger / Nicer /

 

What is answer?  Have nothing?  No!  Nothing wrong with having possessions - problem happens possessions possess you!

A.)    How avoid getting wrong focus?  Go to throne - live at     throne!

 

Col 3:1-3  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

    

B)When I am at throne - see my High Priest - Reminded of what matters! Reminded "every good gift comes from Father"

     1.)     Reminded that it is because of the goodness of God  I am where I am at   

         So I am  not striving to maintain!  Because didn't strive to attain

 

Job 1:21 - And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

 

C) It’s Keeping loose grip!

 

Sad day for person who has pursued success, power, and possessions here - comes before God nothing to show!

A.)    Even more tragic is person who never received Christ because pursuing those things - focus on that – Not Rich toward God

     1.)     "What profit man gain ... lose soul"

 

B) At the throne see His grace, His goodness,  - realize - It is all Him! 

   Realize Job had key!  / God gives / takes ways

   1) Blessed be the name of the Lord!

 

C) Suddenly my perspective changes - not what can I do for me? Not  What can I do to please me?

  1) What can I do to further the kingdom - How can my success be used

       to bless others/ My God is a Giver / Me a Giver too !!!

 

 

Times of trial arise from bodily afflictions!

A.)Suffering & sickness / doctors are not sure what to do/ I  do what Paul did run to throne - prayed 3 times Lord would Heal Him -

 

B.) Instead The Lord spoke to Him – My Grace is sufficient Paul my Power is made perfect in your weakness

 1)Jesus our High Priest is the great Physician!  Able to heal -- but might hear what Paul did - grace is sufficient!

C.) Paul learned the Purpose of his sickness Was to produce consistent dependence upon the Lord / reliance upon His grace

     1.)     Lord saying - "Paul I will be glorified through sickness - because when wiped out - I will show myself strong your behalf" 

 

D.) Others will Marvel at what I am able to do thru such a weak vessel

       Paul said - boast in weakness when weak - He is strong!

     1) Brian – Chronic Fatigue - mentally physically drained!  Can't think

          Try study - impossible - God blessed/ My own life / others

 

Come to throne: Realize His grace is sufficient ( it is enough) take care of all your needs        

 

Another benefit of coming to throne?  Affect our view of others

A.)See High Priest who is compassionate and sympathizes w/ my weaknesses / my High Priest who is gracious and merciful w/ my failings/

 

B) Guess what it affects me / I  become compassionate toward others!

1)    It is hard to be Judgmental & legalistic when I see the grace & mercy that has been & continues to be extended toward me

 

C) I am not as together as I think – I would be a complete mess accept for the grace of God  there Go I

1)   Hard to come down on others when you see the grace that you have been

     shown –